2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[ClutchDirk]

https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2021/3/4/...it-pistons

[SleepingHero]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2934...n-gay-more

Shams reported the same thing in that athletic article.

I'd imagine the asking price is quite steep, especially because DeRozan is having a career year and the Spurs are in the playoff hunt. In any case, the fact they're even listening to offers is telling me that they don't really have confidence in their team and their ability to stay in the playoffs.

[ClutchDirk]

Pistons are expected to work toward a contract buyout with forward Blake Griffin, and sharpshooter Wayne Ellington is expected to receive interest from contending teams.

Cavaliers remain in discussions to find a landing spot for two-time All-Star center Andre Drummond, having engaged in conversations with the Toronto Raptors in the past month.The Bulls have registered interest in Drummond, sources said. Cleveland has also been open to discussing forwards Cedi Osman and Taurean Prince and center JaVale McGee in the right deal, sources said. Several teams have called on the Cavaliers’ wing players, those sources said.

Forward PJ Tucker. The Nets, Bucks, Heat, Nuggets and Lakers are expressing interest in Tucker, sources said. Multiple teams have sensed a deal could develop sooner rather than later for Tucker, but the timing is likely dependent on the Rockets’ asking price. As of now, Houston has sought a young player back in a trade, sources said

Harrison Barnes and Nemanja Bjelica will receive interest from suitors. Philadelphia, Miami, Golden State, Milwaukee and Boston are among teams that have shown interest in Bjelica, sources said.

Among top trade targets for the Celtics: Detroit’s Jerami Grant, sources said.

Several teams have pursued Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie in trade talks, sources said. There is appeal in acquiring Dinwiddie via trade in order to receive his Bird rights and offer him a deal for up to five years in free agency. Dinwiddie is expected to opt out of his $12.3 million player option for next season.

Pacers swingman Caris LeVert is on track to return to the lineup in the second half of the season, sources said,

Minnesota has shown interest in power forwards around the league, including Atlanta’s John Collins and Orlando’s Aaron Gordon, sources said

The Celtics and Hornets are among teams interested in Magic two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic, sources said

The Spurs are receiving calls on their veteran players who are pending free agents — LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay, Trey Lyles and Patty Mills — and are listening to inquiries, sources said

[SamStetz]

Looks like there’s no mention of Dallas to provide us with rumors as we head into a week with no games...

[Tyler]

Looks like there’s no mention of Dallas to provide us with rumors as we head into a week with no games...

That just means we have to generate our own.

If Chicago wants Drummond and Cleveland is prioritizing Jarrett Allen, I'd be happy for Dallas to be the 3rd team to somehow get in on WCJ. Either as the starter next to KP or the primary backup over WCS and Powell, I think he's a buy-low candidate who could be coached up into a good fit.

[Jason Terry]

If we are going to use a baseball metaphor, he is more like a good defensive shortstop who is a little below average at the plate.  That is a quality starter.  I think too much is being taken from a small 25 game sample which includes learning a new team and recovering from Covid.  Lets see what he is by the end of the year.  Don't have to make a call before then anyways (don't see him getting traded at deadline).

Thought the same thing after reading that post. Richardson is a glove first shortstop on a team that doesn’t have any other shortstops. He won’t hit for much power but will give you average production with enough walks and steals mixed in. Above average contact and sac bunt skills. Could Brunson play shortstop? Yes for some games, but eventually would be exposed and is more suited as an excellent second baseman. Hardaway is a middle of the order power hitting first baseman with a high K rate but hits enough homers that he’s a winning piece. DFS is the only catcher on the squad and the numbers aren’t flashy for C’s but he definitely improves the pitching staff. Maxi is a versatile outfielder who can play all positions and do some of everything. We have a way of having a good bullpen (bench) and back end rotation every year our front office seems to excel in that department. KP is like that ace pitcher we traded some of our best prospects for. He throws 100 and has a nice breaking ball too. He’s back from Tommy John and the squad needs him to be the ace. He’s putting up some K’s but he can be wild and has given up far too many homers. 

Having a shortstop that can hit .330 and crank out 30 homers while playing stellar D is something that other teams place a high price in trade for. Besides, it’s not a necessity when we have Mike Trout(luka)

[HanspardShowerVoice]

If we are going to use a baseball metaphor, he is more like a good defensive shortstop who is a little below average at the plate.  That is a quality starter.  I think too much is being taken from a small 25 game sample which includes learning a new team and recovering from Covid.  Lets see what he is by the end of the year.  Don't have to make a call before then anyways (don't see him getting traded at deadline).

The COVID thing is fair enough.   And you're right we're dealing with a 25 game sample.  But I just think his defense has been way oversold.   Not bad per se, but oversold.    I mean, right now his defensive rating is a notch below THJ and a notch above Luka.  And I'm not saying Defensive Rating is the end all be all statistic that totally defines a player, but he's not been some lock down perimeter defender like I think some want to believe.     And now his offense is getting so bad that defenses are actively sagging off of him daring him to shoot.   But the shortstop analogy is funny, because really before baseball analytics really got good at capturing defense you would see some shortstop who hit .220 and people would rave about what an amazing defender he is who turned out to not really be that great of a defender.   It's like people had to create  a narrative that he had to be a great defender because his offense is so bad why else would he play so much?   The .220 proves he's a great defender, because that's the batting average a great defender would have.

[KillerLeft]

If Chicago wants Drummond and Cleveland is prioritizing Jarrett Allen, I'd be happy for Dallas to be the 3rd team to somehow get in on WCJ. Either as the starter next to KP or the primary backup over WCS and Powell, I think he's a buy-low candidate who could be coached up into a good fit.

Well, we certainly know the Mavs liked him coming out of college.

[HanspardShowerVoice]

Billy Donovan had some interesting comments about WCJ the other night 

“Wendell is probably an undersized center. I do think with the way the game has kind of drifted to in the frontcourt, that’s why I thought one of the things that was important for his development is to shoot some 3’s. Is to kind of be a little bit of a playmaker and kind of facilitate our offense a little bit because that then puts him in a position that he can slide into the 4. But if he is just going to be a straight roller and diver, it’s probably really hard for him to play the 4. So, that’s an area he has to get better at. But, yeah, I mean, if you had the luxury to slide him between the 4 and 5 that would be great. But certainly, on some nights it can be challenging for him.”

Sounds like he's a little too small to be a full time 5 and can't shoot or pass well enough to be a full time 4.    Maybe you can salvage him as the new Dwight Powell.  

[DrMav]

Thought the same thing after reading that post. Richardson is a glove first shortstop on a team that doesn’t have any other shortstops. He won’t hit for much power but will give you average production with enough walks and steals mixed in. Above average contact and sac bunt skills. Could Brunson play shortstop? Yes for some games, but eventually would be exposed and is more suited as an excellent second baseman. Hardaway is a middle of the order power hitting first baseman with a high K rate but hits enough homers that he’s a winning piece. DFS is the only catcher on the squad and the numbers aren’t flashy for C’s but he definitely improves the pitching staff. Maxi is a versatile outfielder who can play all positions and do some of everything. We have a way of having a good bullpen (bench) and back end rotation every year our front office seems to excel in that department. KP is like that ace pitcher we traded some of our best prospects for. He throws 100 and has a nice breaking ball too. He’s back from Tommy John and the squad needs him to be the ace. He’s putting up some K’s but he can be wild and has given up far too many homers. 

Having a shortstop that can hit .330 and crank out 30 homers while playing stellar D is something that other teams place a high price in trade for. Besides, it’s not a necessity when we have Mike Trout(luka)

Maybe they can help the Rangers in the offseason 

[cow]

https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2021/3/4/...it-pistons

KP to Detroit!

[michaeltex]

It is really strange his 3pt % is so low, because he is an excellent 2pt and FT shooter. Perhaps it is just psychological slump he fell in. We also need to consider he doesn't take that many shots because there are many "hungry hands" in the team. Yesterday his offense would be great if only he would hit 2 threes more. Even with 1-8 from three he had 16 points. I still maintain he is providing what we need from his role. Defending PG/SG and providing adequate offense. And I still think his % will improve. If we take into account the rule of averages, his second half of the season will be awesome  

Btw: he is at 24 consecutive FT scored.

 And yet, when looking at draft possibilities, we use FT% as an indicator of 3pt ability? Or so it was explained to me by board contributors last off season. 


Does the measure become less valid once a player has some pro seasons behind him?

[ItsGoTime]

That just means we have to generate our own.

If Chicago wants Drummond and Cleveland is prioritizing Jarrett Allen, I'd be happy for Dallas to be the 3rd team to somehow get in on WCJ. Either as the starter next to KP or the primary backup over WCS and Powell, I think he's a buy-low candidate who could be coached up into a good fit.

I like WCJ a lot! To me he looks like a Horford starter kit that came out with the ability to hit the 3 already (not that he's done well with it yet). 

Chi has reportedly been shopping him since the offseason, so that to me seems that their asking price isn't exactly buy low. 

I think he's more of the project as a replacement for KP if we were to trade him or Turner is the ready now guy to replace him (not that they would replace everything KP does for the team, but they would be good enough C's to cover what the team needs and we can load up on the other positions).

[omahen]

I like WCJ a lot! To me he looks like a Horford starter kit that came out with the ability to hit the 3 already (not that he's done well with it yet). 

Chi has reportedly been shopping him since the offseason, so that to me seems that their asking price isn't exactly buy low. 

I think he's more of the project as a replacement for KP if we were to trade him or Turner is the ready now guy to replace him (not that they would replace everything KP does for the team, but they would be good enough C's to cover what the team needs and we can load up on the other positions).

If WCJ is not in their longterm plans (Drummond rumor), then it makes little sense for Chicago to keep him, as they will most likely not be willing to pay him after next season - it is likely someone will come with a bloated 15-20 mil per offer in 2022. It also makes little sense for Cleveland to take him, as they already have Allen and will basically have same dilemma in 2022. Unless they would see WCJ as a four. Based on this, I guess his price depends on how much competition is willing to pay. 

As long as KP is in Dallas, it only makes sense to have WCJ if he can play next to him (and KP next to WCJ). PF on defense and C on offense. Because of the most likely salary I mentioned above, it makes no sense to have him as third big. So, how much would one be prepared to pay for an experiment if he works as a big next to KP? Brunson? I wouldn't. JRich, FRP and a couple of seconds for WCJ and Sato? Not so sure either.

To be honest, I would rather try Gafford as the back-up center and slowly get rid of all cap balast we have at that position.

[ItsGoTime]

If WCJ is not in their longterm plans (Drummond rumor), then it makes little sense for Chicago to keep him, as they will most likely not be willing to pay him after next season

Like I said, they've been allegedly shopping him since the offseason. I think they're asking for a lot. Coming off a lot, could still be a large amount.

[Mapka]

I like WCJ a lot! To me he looks like a Horford starter kit that came out with the ability to hit the 3 already (not that he's done well with it yet). 

Chi has reportedly been shopping him since the offseason, so that to me seems that their asking price isn't exactly buy low. 

I think he's more of the project as a replacement for KP if we were to trade him or Turner is the ready now guy to replace him (not that they would replace everything KP does for the team, but they would be good enough C's to cover what the team needs and we can load up on the other positions).

I don't see what "load up" would be. We have a kind of solid starter at least at every position.
Who do you think would be a available upgrade, and why do we need to trade KP if there is any?

[ItsGoTime]

I don't see what "load up" would be. We have a kind of solid starter at least at every position.

I mean to use more of the money we would have on those positions. We have solid starters for a 3 superstar team, nothing more.

[StepBackJay]

The good news on the Spurs front is I believe they are going to sell off all their old guys and go more into organic tank mode for the second half of the season which helps the Mavs.

[Mapka]

I mean to use more of the money we would have on those positions. We have solid starters for a 3 superstar team, nothing more.

There is only money, if we let  JRich and THJ go - that's the opposite of loading up - or am I missing something?

[ItsGoTime]

There is only money, if we let  JRich and THJ go - that's the opposite of loading up - or am I missing something?

I'm not sure where you're coming from. I'm not sure how else to explain what I said, so I'll leave it at what I've already said.